Nanoscale surface dynamics of spatial patterns of polymeric bilayered particles loaded with essential oil

Gelatin/PCL bilayered particles loaded with Piper nigrum essential oil was synthesized aiming to access their morphological and surface dynamic patterns. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was applied to investigate the 3D morphology and multifractal aspects of the particles surface. The AFM maps revealed spherical surfaces and well dispersed particles, besides a rougher surface on the loaded system. Minkowski functionals showed that shape of the rough peaks was similar in the unloaded and loaded systems; however, the presence of deep valleys on the loaded particles revealed their rougher pattern. Multifractal analysis revealed that unloaded and loaded particles presented multifractal behavior with different surface dynamics. The loaded surface presented a greater width of the multifractal spectrum and smaller difference of fractal dimensions, confirming their more vertically growing. These results can be useful in the development of novel polymeric-based particles loaded with essential oil. Their unique surface dynamics can provide enhanced physical properties and performance in emerging biotechnological applications.